John O. Bailey

John Ora Bailey (September 26, 1880 – February 16, 1959) was an American judge and politician in the state of Oregon. He was the 27th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, serving on Oregon’s highest court from 1933 to 1950. Bailey also served in the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon State Senate. A native of Iowa and Harvard graduate, he began his public service as an assistant attorney general.

John O. Bailey
27th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1943–1945
Preceded byPercy R. Kelly
Succeeded byHarry H. Belt
59th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1933–1950
Preceded byGeorge M. Brown
Succeeded byWalter L. Tooze
Personal details
BornSeptember 26, 1880
Grinnell, Iowa
DiedFebruary 16, 1959(1959-02-16) (aged 78)
Portland, Oregon
Spouse(s)Verna Alice Chase Bailey

Early life

John Baily was born on September 26, 1880 in Grinnell, Iowa.[1] There he received his education in the local schools before attending college at Harvard University.[1] After graduation in 1906 he then attended and graduated from Harvard Law School. Next Bailey moved west to Spokane, Washington, where he practiced law from 1907 until 1910 when he moved to Portland, Oregon.[1]

Oregon

In 1911, Bailey married the former Alice Chase, and the two would have four children.[1] In Portland he continued practicing law through 1915 with the firm Platt and Platt.[2] Beginning that year he was a deputy attorney general, serving until 1920.[1] In that role he handled a variety of land fraud cases and helped to draft legislation that helped the state of Oregon better protect its state-owned land holdings.[2] From 1920 to 1933 he returned to private practice at the firm Perkins and Bailey.[2]

Also during this time he served in the state house from 1925 to 1929 as a Republican from Multnomah County.[3][4] Beginning with 1929 legislature he served in the state senate for two sessions.[5] Bailey served on the Portland Public Schools's board from 1927 to 1930, including as its chair in 1930.[2] While in the legislature he wrote the bill that became the state's law on textbooks.[2]

In 1932, Bailey was elected to replace justice George M. Brown on the Oregon Supreme Court when Brown’s term ended in 1933.[6] John Bailey won additional six-year terms in 1938 and 1944 before resigning on November 15, 1950.[6] Bailey served as chief justice during World War II from 1943 to 1945.[6] He wrote the opinions on cases involving the 10-hour work day for factory workers, the constitutionality of the worker's compensation program, and several cases involving interstate commerce, among others.[2]

Later years and family

Bailey's children were two sons, Robert & Jason and two daughters, Mrs. Francis(Fran)White and Mrs.(Barbara) Hedges.[2] John Ora Bailey died in Portland on February 16, 1959 at the age of 78 years.[2]

References
  1. Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
  2. Obituary: Bailey Self-Made. Oregon Journal, February 16, 1959.
  3. Oregon Legislative Assembly (33rd) 1925 Regular Session. Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on January 25, 2008.
  4. Oregon Legislative Assembly (34th) 1927 Regular Session. Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on January 25, 2008.
  5. Oregon Legislative Assembly (35th) 1929 Regular Session. Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on January 25, 2008.
  6. Oregon Blue Book: Supreme Court Justices of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on January 25, 2008.
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